grilled and baked aubergine ‘pizza’

I have felt so inspired to make slightly less conventional dishes on my new Big Green Egg, after all it is so much more than just a braai / barbecue, its an outdoor cooking system.

I fired it up and thought to do a combo of grilling thick aubergine slices, topping them with typical pizza items, and then converting the egg to ‘oven’ mode to finish them off. Its clever like that.

Make as many as you need as a side dish or as a main event. Add whatever you think will work well. I used ingredients from a Melanzane Parmigiana, so this is sort of a deconstructed - re constructed version of that, and a wonderful low carb option if you are so inclined.

You will need:

• medium to large aubergines – cut about 2 cm thick
• jarred tomato sauce or passata (you could also make your own)
• fior di latte  mozzarella or bocconcini
• sliced rosa / baby tomatoes
• slices of salami or prosciutto of you choice
• grated Parmesan
• fresh basil leaves
• salt, pepper, olive oil and salad to serve it with

First you need to brush each side of the aubergines with olive oil and then grill them over a medium heat until they have just started to char but are still firm. You don’t want to over cook them at this stage. You can also do this on a griddle pan in your kitchen.

Once they are grilled set them aside on a baking tray and start adding the layers of topping, starting with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then add the cheeses and the other toppings. Bake for about 8 – 10 minutes at 180C and until the cheese starts bubbling.

Adjust the Big Green Egg to oven mode and set the temperature to 180 C. Place the aubergine slices on a round pizza baking pan and bake for around 10 – 15 minutes until the cheese and sauces is bubbling and turning brown.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper and serve with a simple mixed green salad or salad leaves and or fresh basil leaves scattered over the top.

Check out my last recipe in my Big Green egg for the most delectable sticky chipotle pork ribs

*My Big Green Egg has been sponsored

I look forward to connecting with you again